Improved personal carrier

ABSTRACT

A load carrier and carrying systems for carrying a load in which engagement means of the load carrier can be assembled by the user to the systems engagement means so as to allow the user to adjust the distance of the load carrier from the belt.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to personal systems for carrying loads.

BACKGROUND

Bullet resistant vests are an item of personal armor that helps absorbthe impact created by projectiles shot from firearms and shrapnelcreated by explosive materials. Bulletproof vests are worn on a torso ofan individual, thus assisting in the prevention of injuries to essentialbody parts, and have become essential gear for the everyday operation ofsecurity personnel such as combat soldiers, police tactical units,hostage rescue teams and the like.

The vests are typically made of many layers of woven or laminatedfibers, and may be combined with the metal or ceramic plates foradditional protection. Due to the layered structure of the vests, theyare heavier and thicker than ordinary clothing items worn about thetorso.

It is common for security personnel wearing a bullet-resistant vest toalso have to carry gear on their backs. The gear may be stored in abackpack and harnessed on the person's back using straps, belts, or thelike.

While there is a steady technological progression towards lighter andmore compact personal equipment such as described above, there are alsoincreasing demands upon the loads the personnel carry—heavier and morevaried ammunition, protective gear, first aid, survival gear, mobdispersal means etc. Such loads may well exceed 18 kgs per person. Theincreased loads exacerbate problems typical in carrying the loads, suchas stability, self-donning and doffing of the load carriers, the armorcarriers etc., and requires technological advances in the carrying gear.

Furthermore, new concepts in warfare now include providing improvedaccess to equipment, e.g. having more of the equipment in front, andallowing a person to more easily and quickly don and doff carrying gearwithout assistance.

Some solutions have only partially met such goals, yet are cumbersome,complex and/or heavy and require replacement or improvement, and willbecome less suitable the more the carrying requirements are upgraded.

The need remains therefore for improved simple and lightweight, carryinggear.

Embodiments described herein below address this need.

SUMMARY OF THE EMBODIMENTS

According to one aspect, a load carrier is provided comprising: a firstpanel having at least one first panel flap; the first panel flaps eachhaving a self-releasingly engagable patch;

-   -   a second panel;    -   at least one rod, each having two ends fixed to the second        panel, the rod and the second panel defining a gap therebetween        sized to allow one of the first panel flaps to be threaded        therethrough;        the rods and flaps allowing a user to stably and tightly don the        load carrier over user's hips by pulling the first panel flaps        through the gaps and wrapping each pulled first panel flap over        one of the rods to self-engage the patch of the first panel        flap.

The second panel may further comprise second panel flaps foldable overone of the first panel flaps and comprising patches releasinglyengageable with the patch of the first panel flap.

According to another aspect, a carrying system is provided comprising:

-   -   a belt and a spine perpendicularly attached thereto;    -   a load carrier;    -   the spine and the load carrier each comprising releasable        engagement means,        whereby: a user can assemble the carrying system by engaging the        engagement means of the spine with the engagement means of the        load carrier at a first position, and can adjust distance of the        load carrier from the belt by engaging the engagement means of        the spine with the engagement means of the load carrier at a        second position, and the spine transfers a substantial portion        of a load on the load carrier to hips of a user wearing the        carrying system, and allows the user to perform unhindered        duties thereof.

In some embodiments the load carrier further comprises a sleeve;

-   -   the spine fits into the sleeve, and    -   the sleeve comprises the engagement means of the load carrier.

The sleeve may comprise two lapels sturdily stitched to the carrier, andspaced apart to allow access to the spine.

In some embodiments, lapels are held together with bands.

The lapels may comprise releasable engagement means capable of engagingthe spine.

In some embodiments the spine comprises a sheet having the stiffness ofa polypropylene sheet 2-3 mm thick. For example, the sheet is 2-3 mmthick and is made of polypropylene.

According to another aspect, a carrying system is provided comprising:

-   -   a vest comprising a vest-belt, and    -   a pack comprising a pack-belt;    -   wherein the vest-belt is at least 2 cm wider than the pack-belt,        and the carrying system is configured to allow the pack-belt to        be essentially over the vest-belt when the carrying system is        donned.

The vest-belt and the pack-belt may have essentially same shapes.

In some embodiments the shape is a flattened “W”.

In some embodiments the vest is any of the load carriers depicted above.

In some embodiments the pack is any of the load carriers depicted above.

According to another aspect, a carrying system is provided comprising:

-   -   a vest having vest straps;    -   a pack donned over the vest, the pack comprising        shoulder-straps;    -   a chest-strap having:    -   two ends, each end engaged with one of the shoulder straps; and    -   vest strap engagement means    -   the ends configured to allow moving the chest strap up and down        the shoulder straps when the vest strap is not engaged with the        vest straps and to not allow said movement of the chest strap        when the vest strap is engaged with the shoulder straps.

The vest may be any of the load carriers described above.

The vest may comprises a PALS grid, wherein the chest strap isengageable with the grid.

The chest strap may comprise a first strip and a second strip affixedand perpendicular to the first strip,

wherein the first strip is engaged with the shoulder straps and thesecond strip is engageable with at least one strap of the PALS grid.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

For a better understanding of the invention and to show how it may becarried into effect, reference will now be made, purely by way ofexample, to the accompanying drawings.

With specific reference now to the drawing in detail, it is stressedthat the particulars shown are by way of example and for purposes ofillustrative discussion of the preferred embodiments of the presentinvention only, and are presented in the cause of providing what isbelieved to be the most useful and readily understood description of theprinciples and conceptual aspects of the invention. In this regard, noattempt is made to show structural details of the invention in moredetail than is necessary for a fundamental understanding of theinvention; the description taken with the drawing making apparent tothose skilled in the art how the several forms of the invention may beembodied in practice.

In the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1A is a view of a prior art vest;

FIG. 2 shows flaps on a prior art vest;

FIG. 3 illustrates the prior art vest poorly fitting;

FIG. 4 depicts a vest with a bar for tightening thereof;

FIG. 5 is an expanded view of the vest part with the bar shown in FIG.4;

FIG. 6 a shows a carrying system with a vest and a t-belt;

FIG. 6 b shows the same carrying system where the belt's positionrelative to the vest is adjusted;

FIG. 7 depicts a t-belt;

FIG. 8 shows a belt of a pack over a vest belt;

FIG. 9 shows a carrier system wherein there is a chest strap embodiment;

FIG. 10 illustrates how the strap shown in FIG. 9 cooperates with a vestand a pack in a carrier system;

FIG. 11 shows another carrier system having a chest strap.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SELECTED EMBODIMENTS

Various embodiments of don/doff articles useful for improved comfort incarrying heavy loads and combat gear are disclosed hereinbelow.

The scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims andincludes both combinations and sub combinations of the various featuresdescribed hereinabove as well as variations and modifications thereof,which would occur to persons skilled in the art upon reading theforegoing description.

In the claims, the word “comprise”, and variations thereof such as“comprises”, “comprising” and the like indicate that the componentslisted are included, but not generally to the exclusion of othercomponents.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show a prior art vest 10 having a (back) first panel 12and a (front) second panel 14. The vest further has a first panel flap16, essentially orthogonal to the shoulder straps 17, on each of twoopposite ends of the first panel 14. The flaps 16 each have on the innerside a Velcro patch which can each engage with a similar-sized Velcropatch (not shown) on the second panel 12. This engagement is shown inexpanded view in FIG. 3. Note that the flap 16 does not properly fitonto the Velcro patch 18; the flap is too high and too forward.Therefore, the vest might get loose and the flap might even open, and itmay interfere with operations of the user due to hindrance of movement.Furthermore, it is virtually impossible for a user to correctly wear thevest by himself and when the vest is not properly fitted, the ballisticcover 19 might get damaged and the vest doesn't properly fit properly onthe body i.e., the weight distribution is uneven and the vest 10 willnot stay fixed in place on the user's body, thus causing bruises andimbalance.

The misfit will reduce the range of motion and movement of the user.This problem is exacerbated when a lot of equipment is coupled to thevest, thus limiting freedom of movement.

One cause of the problems is that it is impossible to properly wear thevest by self donning because of limited range of motion. The standinginstructions to combat personnel are thus to enlist a comrade to helpput on the vest. However, a comrade free to help is not alwaysavailable. Moreover, aligning the patches when acting under pressure,being tired, or inadequately trained is even more difficult, thereby thevest might not be well fitted. Therefore, is important that theengagement be reinforced, and guided by the hardware in the vest.

In other prior art vests the user wearing the vest tightens the vest bypulling strings etc. at the back side of the vest, however thisoperation is difficult to perform, especially with the interference ofthe pouches in the vest—and when he needs to do the adjustments thereofwhile wearing the pack

Accordingly, an improved vest is provided.

According to one aspect, a load carrier is provided, comprising:

a first panel having at least one first panel flap; the first panelflaps each having a self-releasingly engagable patch;

at least one rod, each having two ends fixed to the second panel, therod and the second panel defining a gap therebetween sized to allow oneof the first panel flaps to be threaded therethrough;

the rods and first panel flaps allowing a user to stably and tightlydonning the carrier system over the user's hips by pulling the firstpanel flaps through the gaps and wrapping each pulled first panel flapover one of the rods to self-engage the patch of the first panel flap.

The vest may have one or more protective layer therein and/or thereon,such as ceramic plates. An improved vest 100 is shown in FIG. 4. Thevest 100, as the prior art vest 10, has a first (back) panel 112 and asecond (front) panel 114. The exterior sides (facing away from a userwhen donned) of the parts are shown. Each flap 116 is inserted into aspace between a sturdy rod 120 and the exterior side of the secondpanel, that allows the user to pull the flap 116 through (on front ofthe user) and then, keeping the flap 116 tense, to pull in the oppositedirection, so that the vest 100 is made tight and snug with the user'storso. When the vest 100 is sufficiently tight the velcro patch 117 isself attached as shown in the figure, to keep the desired tension.

FIG. 5 shows an expanded view of the region of the vest 100 comprisingone of the rods 120. The rod 120 helps provide a fulcrum for effectivetension and also guide the first panel 112 and the second panel 114 tobe properly aligned with each other. The velcro patch may be made of aself-adhering material or hook and loop fasteners for example. The rodis held by two patch sleeves 122, which are in turn sturdily fixed tothe first panel 112, as shown in the figure. Note that the patch sleeves122 are each extensively and strongly affixed to the exterior covermaterial of the front part 112.

Each rod 120 is connected to the second panel in such a way that thetension is well spread over the second panel 114 rather than on only twopoints, that might have created pressure points and failure. Referringback to FIG. 4, securing vertical flaps 130 are provided to the frontpart 112, each one configured to fold over a first panel flap 116. Thevertical flaps secure the horizontal flaps. The vertical flap reinforcesthe stable engagement of the front part 112 to the back part 114. Insome embodiments pouches or pouch attachments are provided, for examplethe PALS (Pouch Attachment Ladder System) grid, on an exterior side ofthe vertical flap.

Other engagement means may be used in addition to or instead of some ofthe velcro patches or flaps, such as ribbons having mating snap bucklesto further stabilize the connection between the front part 112 and theback part 114. In some embodiments the front part has the horizontalflaps and the back part has the rods, etc., although this arrangement isconsidered to be less useful than the embodiments described above.

In some embodiments the front part and back part are connected by othermeans than the patches and the rod, and the user dons both partstogether and then closes one side by tightening a patch with a rod asdescribed above.

Another reason for poor fits of vests is improper position of the veston the user. T-belt embodiments are provided that allow properpositioning.

Thus according to another aspect, a carrying system is provided,comprising:

-   -   a belt and a spine perpendicularly attached thereto;    -   a load carrier;    -   the spine and the load carrier each comprising releasable        engagement means,        wherein: a user can assemble the carrying system by engaging the        engagement means of the spine with the engagement means of the        load carrier at a first position, and can adjust distance of the        load carrier from the belt by reengaging the engagement means of        the spine with the engagement means of the load carrier at a        second position.

Further shown in FIG. 4 is part of an adjustable T-belt 200 embodiment.The T-belt 200 allows to adjust the position (higher or lower) of thevest 100 on a user as will be shown in the following figures. The T-beltcomprises two major components: a belt 240 and a spine 250.

FIG. 6 a shows a carrying system 1000, including a vest 100 and a T-belt200. The spine 250 is adjusted and secured by the flap 160 on the sideof the vest meant to face the user. The spine 250 is moved so that thevest 100 is at a selected position relative to the belt 240, and thespine 250 is then engaged with the sleeve 160. The spine 250 may bereleased from the engagement to define a different position on the vest100. The sleeve 160 is made of the following parts: 1) Two lapels 162 aand 162 b, which are sturdily stitched to the left side 119 a and theright side 119 b, respectively, of the backing of the vest 100 (backingbeing the side of the vest 100 facing the user's back): The lapels 162 aand 162 b comprise one side of the sleeve 160; 2) A velcro strip 166that is configured to engage the spine 250 (that has a matching velcrostrip on the side facing the vest, not shown); 3) bands 168 for holdinglapels 162 a and 162 b together, thereby helping to firmly hold thespine 250 in place inside the sleeve 160. The lapels 162 a and 162 bpreferably extend almost from the bottom of the vest 100 to almost thetop, thereby allowing maximum engagement of the spine 250 within thesleeve 160 and maximum adjustment of height of the vest 100 relative tothe T-belt 200 on the user.

However, the lapels 162 a and 162 b are spaced apart (bridged by bands168) such that a user may both see the level the spine 250 is at, andcan easily pry the lapels 162 a, 162 b off the spine 250 in order toreadjust the height of the vest 100 relative to the belt 240, to betterfit the vest thereto.

The lapels 162 a and 162 b may comprise velcro strips (not shown) on theside facing the spine 250, and the spine 250 may comprise velcro strips254 a and 254 b that are configured to engage with the respective velcrostrips of the lapels 162 a and 162 b. The additional engagements furtherstrengthen and stabilize the coupling of the spine 250 to the vest 100.

In other embodiments the spine and the sleeve each have engagement meanson only one side; in other embodiments the lapels are not spaced apart.In some embodiments the band 168 are themselves made of strips withvelcro or other engagement means, that can be opened to allow betteraccess to the spine when it is desired to move it up or down in thesleeve.

The spine may have on the side facing the user and/or the side facingaway from the user gradations that help the user select the appropriateposition of the spine 250 in the sleeve 160, for example the gradationsmay be marked “XXL”, XL″, “L”, “M” etc., or with persons' heights.

The belt 240 has, on the side facing the user's back, a central part 242that comprises a pad, on the side of the belt facing the user, for extrapadding to reduce abrasion in the area of a user's spinal column. Insome embodiments the spine 250 is coupled to the central part 242, forexample by strudy stitching of the spine 250 to the central part 242. Inother embodiments the spine 250 is removably coupled thereto, forexample by attaching the bottom part of velcro strips 254 a and 254 b tomatching velcro strips on the side facing away from the user on centralpart 242. In preferred embodiments the portion of the spine 250 that iscoupled to the belt 240 is 5-15 cm along the length of the spine, mostpreferably 10±2 cm (this also means that the belt itself is at least5-15 cm wide). In preferred embodiments the length of the spine is 25-35cm, in preferred embodiments 30±2 cm. However, other embodiments includeshorter or longer spines to accommodate users of unusual sizes. Furtherprovided are replacement spines 250 sized for users of unusual sizes:the user may receive a complete T-belt, or just the belt, and may selecta spine according to his size. The spines may be marked such as “XL”,“L” etc. Likewise, the belts may be separately provided in various waistsizes and/or widths and may be appropriately marked by the local waistsize system.

The belt 240 has at its ends 244 a and 244 b velcro patches, on the sidefacing away from the user (not shown). The ends are configured to engageeach other to position the T-belt over the user's hips and allow theuser to bear on the hips a substantial portion of the weight of theheavy vest.

Some or all of the velcro patches may be substituted or supplementedwith other engagement means, such as snap buckles.

The outer layer of the sides of the vest 100 and the T-belt 200 facingthe user may have a mesh structure to help wick away sweat. The vest 100and the T-belt 200 may further comprise at least one more layer thatabsorbs and/or wicks away sweat. However, other embodiments do not havesuch layers, as some users may prefer different or less layers.

FIG. 7 shows that the belt has a preferable shape, in particular thebelt 240 has a particular shape, a somewhat flattened W shape, which isconsidered to have an ergonomic benefit to the user. In preferredembodiments the spines comprise a stiff layer. Following experimentationwith various materials at various thicknesses, it has been concludedthat the stiff layer is preferably a board of polylpropylene, having athickness of 2-3 mm, most preferably 2.5±0.2 mm. Such a layer has theright flexibility between allowing it to be comfortably worn at theuser's back and freely perform all required activities, while stablysupporting the weight of the vest. The board may be made of differentmaterial (not necessarily the same thickness range) having similarproperties. Users have reported that they feel the T-belt supports theirback and helps them maintain an upright posture, rather than unhealthilybend their backs under the load. The spine 250 may be ergonomicallycontoured to fit a user's back, however in preferred embodiments thelayer is completely straight, as it is deemed sufficiently flexible toalign with the user's back.

Note that the vests 100 and other vests, likewise improved to couplewith the T-belt, do not have to be used with the T-belt; one of theadvantages of the T-belt is that it is fully detachable, whereby theuser can use the vest like any other vest, with the load being fullyborne by straps laid on the shoulders—some users may find it morecomfortable to wear the vest as they are accustomed to.

The T-belt may be also be used for carrying packs, in addition to orinstead of the vests. In general the T-belt is used with load-carriers.

The spine transfers a substantial portion of a load on the load carrierto hips of a user wearing the carrying system—The T-belt has been foundto transfer about 60-70% of the load from the shoulders to the hips.More importantly, though, is the stabilization of the vest on the user:Without the T-belt the vest dances around on the user and causesimbalance, impediment to movement, friction and bruises in the torsocircumference. In commercially available vests the stabilization hasbeen improved by either excessively tightening the vest on the user, orusing a pack belt that is tightened around the midrif, both which arevery uncomfortable (including hindrance to breathing, pain and notransfer of the load to the hips). The T-belt retains the vest in itsproper place and essentially allows unhidered operational activity.

Many current vests have all or most of their pouches at the front toallow better access to the equipment therein, as well as to free up theback side of the vest for loads such as packs. However, the weight ofthe equipment in the pouches tends to make the front part of the vestslide forward and the vest becomes lopsided. Thus another advantage ofthe T-belt is in helping to keep the vest from becoming lopsided.

Another study was conducted of various supports for both vests and packsworn above the vests. Many combat personnel have to wear packs over avest during their missions. Ideally the vests and the packs each havetheir own support, such as a belt, to help distribute the load andremove some of the stress on the shoulders and spinal column. However,various options are theoretically feasible. One problem to overcome isthe possible confusion and tangling between the various supports. Oneoption that was tested was placing a belt coupled to a vest at theabdomen height, placing a belt coupled to a pack over the hips. However,again, placing the vest's belt over the midriff creates an uneasybreathing and does not properly distrubute the weight over the hips, andthe pack belt cannot be properly secured. However, users in theexperiment found the arrangement uncomfortable and the position was alsonot considered good in respect to the distribution of the loadplacingthe vest support in one position when wearing only a vest, and inanother position when wearing a pack over the vest. However, thisarrangement was found to lead to confusion and tangling.

According to yet another aspect,

a carrying system is provided comprising:

-   -   a vest comprising a vest-belt, and    -   a pack comprising a pack-belt;        the vest-belt is at least 2 cm wider than the pack-belt, and the        carrying system is configured to allow the pack-belt to be        essentially over the vest-belt when the carrying system is        donned, wherein the belt of the pack is placed essentially over        the belt of the vest.

Although some available carrying systems may have multiple belts abovehips to support various loads, without careful matching of the beltsthey tend to stray away from their allotted location and to pinch theuser. Again, it was realized that the belts thus must sit over hips andnot on the midriff, since any belt located on the midriff will causeincorrect weight distribution and stress to breathing.

According to preferred embodiments, the belt of the vest is at least 2cm wider than the belt of the pack. Preferably, the system is configuredso that the heights of the belts is the same, such that there is atleast a margin of 1 cm on any side of the pack belt. This can bearranged by for example adjusting the height of the vest belt in theT-belt described above. Preferably, the two belts also have the sameshape, however it is stressed that some embodiments they do not have thesame and relative sizes.

Preferably, vest belt is at least 5 cm wide, more preferably at least 10cm wide.

FIG. 8 illustrates a pack belt 300 placed on top of a vest belt 240′.Preferably, the middle of the width of the belts corresponds to themiddle of the hip bone.

The pack belt 300 may also comprise velcro patches (not shown) or otherengagement means that are configured to allow snugly and securelyclosing the belt 300 over the vest belt 240′. Means of engagement suchas snaps, clasps, buckles etc may be used. However, to avoid confusion,in preferred embodiments the engagement means of the pack belt 300 aredifferent from the engagement means of the vest belt 240′, for examplethe pack belt engagement means are snap-buckles 302′ and the vestengagement means are velcro patches 242 a′, 242 b′. The belt 300 issomewhat longer than the vest belt 240′, since the belt 300 is notdirectly secured to the user's waist but rather to the widercircumference of the vest belt 240′. The belts 300 may also be availablein various sizes, and may be interchangeable by quick release from thepacks, similar to the connection between the T-belts 200 and the vests100 in some embodiments.

According to another aspect, a chest-strap is provided. Such chest-strapmay be used to stabilize a pack donned over a vest, by connecting thestraps of the pack to the vest and place the shoulder straps of a packat a healthier location on a user's shoulder, as the shoulder strapsotherwise might impinge upon major veins in the shoulder and armpitarea. Such a strap 470 is shown in FIGS. 9 and 10.

The position of the chest-strap is important. Too high interferes withbreathing of the user, and might expose the user to harm at the claviclearea if he is bothered by the strap and pulls down the vest to removethe irritation. Too low interferes with access to compartments andpouches on the vest, particularly in vests used in communicationapplications that require many such compartments and pouches in thefront.

The optimal location for the chest-strap is thus at the user's sternumarea.

FIG. 10 depicts one embodiment. The vest 100 has a PALS grid 170 asshown in FIG. 4. The grid 170 includes grid straps 172 that are attachedto the backing of the vest 100 at regular intervals. The chest strap 470includes a first strip 472 that connects to two shoulder straps 520 ofpack 500, and a second strip 474 perpendicular to first strip 472, isengaged with straps 172.

To accommodate users of various physiques, the chest-strap 470 isconfigured to allow its movement up and down along the shoulder straps520 and to be locked at the optimal location. This may simply be done bydisengaging the second strip 474 from the grid strips 172 situated atone height, moving the strap 470 up or down, and reengaging the secondstrip with the grid strips 172 at another height.

Although chest straps that connect shoulder straps of packs to vests arecommercially available, these straps do not connect the pack shoulderstraps to each other except via a vest, whereas the strap 470 may beused to connect the shoulder straps even without a vest and is thus moreversatile and useful, Moreover, adjustment and engagement are easier,and the strap 470 makes use of and is more compatible with, the PALSgrid.

FIG. 11 shows another chest strap embodiment, wherein there is no secondstrip, and the first strip is engaging the grid strips 172. The cheststrap 470′ itself comprises a PALS grid 476. Some preferred embodimentscombine two or more features: the first panel flaps, the T-belt, the twooverlapping belts and the chest strap.

Such systems have been found to be intuitive and users have thus easilydonned and doffed the vests and the packs thereon in the correct way.

1. A load carrier comprising: a first panel having at least one firstpanel flap; the first panel flaps each having a self-releasinglyengagable patch; a second panel; at least one rod, each having two endsfixed to the second panel, the rod and the second panel defining a gaptherebetween sized to allow one of the first panel flaps to be threadedtherethrough; the rods and flaps allowing a user to stably and tightlydon the load carrier over user's hips by pulling the first panel flapsthrough the gaps and wrapping each pulled first panel flap over one ofthe rods to self-engage the patch of the first panel flap.
 2. The systemof claim 1, the second panel further comprising second panel flapsfoldable over one of the first panel flaps and comprising patchesreleasingly engageable with the patch of the first panel flap.
 3. Acarrying system comprising: a belt and a spine perpendicularly attachedthereto; a load carrier; the spine and the load carrier each comprisingreleasable engagement means, whereby: a user can assemble the carryingsystem by engaging the engagement means of the spine with the engagementmeans of the load carrier at a first position, and can adjust distanceof the load carrier from the belt by engaging the engagement means ofthe spine with the engagement means of the load carrier at a secondposition, and the spine transfers a substantial portion of a load on theload carrier to hips of a user wearing the carrying system, and allowsthe user to perform unhindered duties thereof, wherein the load carrierfurther comprises a sleeve; the spine fits into the sleeve, and thesleeve comprises the engagement means of the load carrier.
 4. (canceled)5. The carrying system of claim 3, wherein the sleeve comprises twolapels sturdily stitched to the carrier, and spaced apart to allowaccess to the spine.
 6. The carrying system of claim 5, wherein thelapels are held together with bands.
 7. The carrying system of claim 5,wherein the lapels comprise releasable engagement means capable ofengaging the spine.
 8. The carrying system of claim 3, wherein the spinecomprises a sheet having the stiffness of a polypropylene sheet 2-3 mmthick.
 9. (canceled)
 10. The carrying system wherein the load carrier isthe carrier of claim
 1. 11. A carrying system comprising: a vestcomprising a vest-belt, and a pack comprising a pack-belt; wherein thevest-belt is at least 2 cm wider than the pack-belt, and the carryingsystem is configured to allow the pack-belt to be essentially over thevest-belt when the carrying system is donned.
 12. The system of claim11, wherein the vest-belt and the pack-belt have essentially sameshapes.
 13. The system of claim 12, wherein the shape is a flattened“W”.
 14. The system of claim 11, wherein the vest is a load carrier. 15.The system of claim 11, wherein the pack is a load carrier.
 16. Thesystem of claim 11, wherein the vest is a carrier.
 17. (canceled) 18.The system of claim 16, wherein the pack is a load carrier.
 19. Acarrying system comprising: a vest having vest straps; a pack donnedover the vest, the pack comprising shoulder-straps; a chest-straphaving: two ends, each end engaged with one of the shoulder straps, andvest strap engagement means the ends configured to allow moving thechest strap up and down the shoulder straps when the vest strap is notengaged with the vest straps and to not allow said movement of the cheststrap when the vest strap is engaged with the shoulder straps.
 20. Thecarrier system of claim 19, wherein the vest is a load carrier.
 21. Thecarrier system of claim 19, wherein the vest is a load carrier. 22.(canceled)
 23. The carrier system of claim 18, wherein the vestcomprises a PALS grid, and wherein the chest strap is engageable withthe grid.
 24. The carrier system of claim 23, wherein the chest strapcomprises a first strip and a second strip affixed and perpendicular tothe first strip, wherein the first strip is engaged with the shoulderstraps and the second strip is engageable with at least one strap of thePALS grid.